We have moved to Anchor Point, the “Most Western Highway” in North America.  Here they are not blessed with a harbor or spit and have 20-25 ft tides like much of Cook Inlet.  How do you launch a fishing or charter boat?  They utilize logging tractors to launch them in the surf.  The shore runs out gradually so they are out several hundred yards from the high tide line.  The tractor is in about as deep as it will go and keep running.  The larger charter boats take quite a choreographed retrieval.  First, the trailer is backed into the surf to await the landing boat.  As the boat arrives over the trailer the tractor starts moving toward shore and the captain powers up the engines to catch his ride in the surf and to make sure everything doesn’t mire down in the sand.  Once they reach shallower water the tractor takes over completely and pulls the boat and trailer across the beach to the parking lot. Somewhere during the run through the surf a person riding on the tractor latches and tightens the winch on the boat trailer.  Looks pretty well rehearsed.

After many days of glimpses and partial views.  Showtime!